Our Lady of La Salette, Berkley

In 1921, a small group of Catholics bought land for a church in what is now the middle of Berkley. Within three years, the parish of Our Lady of Refuge was established. In 1927, the church was moved three blocks to the current location. Like most, the parish and parishioners struggled during the Great Depression. In 1932, the diocese asked  Missionaries of La Salette to come to Berkley and staff the parish. Shortly after, the parish changed it's name to Our Lady of La Salette.

Our Lady of LaSalette and a crucifix in niche

The parish sold the old rectory, two blocks south, at 1799 Coolidge. The building eventually fell into disrepair and was demolished about ten years ago to make room for a pharmacy.

2007 Google street view of the old rectory - source

Our Lady of La Salette School was established in 1943 with two classrooms in a garage. It was staffed by the Sisters of Mercy and its first enrollment was 100 students. A newer school building was built in three stages 1947–1953. Enrollment peaked in the early 1960s with over 1,000 students.

Front elevation of the church, from the corner of Coolidge and Harvard.

A new rectory was built in 1963, followed by a new church with a seating capacity of 950. The current church was dedicated on September 16, 1967, by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Breitenbeck. 

Fr. Patrick Connell has been pastor since 1997; he is assisted by permanent deacons Daniel Darga and Clement Stankiewicz.

After 70 years of Catholic education, the school closed at the end of the 2012–2013 academic year.

A community of Franciscans reside at Duns Scotus Friary, across the street from the church. Among them: Br. Mike Dubec, Fr. Dennet Jung, Fr. Alex Kratz, Fr. Mike Lenz, and Br. Al Mascia.

St. Joseph, a relic and image of Blessed Solanus Casey, and St. Anne with Child Mary
near the main entrance

Saturday Vigil Mass is at 4:00pm while Sunday Masses are at 9:30am and 11:30am. Daily Mass is at 7:00pm on Wednesday; 8:45am on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

More info: parish website

Holy Name, Birmingham

Holy Name Parish was established in 1921 with Fr. William W. Ryan as founding pastor. Arthur Des Rosiers designed the first church in a Spanish style, measuring 30' x 80'. Construction began in November, 1921, and was finished the following spring. The first church was dedicated on April 30, 1922. A parish school was established in 1928 and remains in operation.

The first Holy Name Church, built in 1922 - source

The current edifice was designed by George Diehl and Associates with a capacity for 900. Construction began in 1954 and Edward Cardinal Mooney dedicated the church the following year.

The interior of the church was renovated in 1984. Other facilities such as a chapel, social whall, parish offices, etc. were added several years later. The church was renovated again in 2000.

The tabernacle was moved to a side chapel but much of the original high altar remains in place.

Stations of the Cross line each side of the nave.

The Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, respectively, where there likely used to be side altars.

Doctors of the Church, namely St. Jerome (left) and St. Basil (right), are depicted in stained-glass windows.

The Descent of the Holy Spirit is portrayed behind the baptismal font; a set of stained-glass windows over the former choir loft.

Msgr. John Zenz has been pastor since 2008. Msgr. was previously a weekend associate at Holy Name 1982-2005.

A set of stained-glass windows in the east transept

Daily Mass is celebrated at 8:00am in the chapel, Monday-Saturday. Saturday Vigil Mass is at 4:00pm, preceded by Confessions at 3:00pm. Sunday Masses are at 8:00am, 10:00am, and Noon.

West transept windows

For more info: HNChurch.org

St. Gerald Church, Farmington

Archbishop John Dearden established St. Gerald Parish on June 26, 1964, with Fr. James P. O’Hagan as founding pastor. Masses were celebrated at Flanders Elementary School. A month after the parish was established, ground was broken on a new church. The first St. Gerald Church was dedicated on December 19, 1964.


The parish continually grew for the first two decades. The church was expanded and renovated but, in 1987, St. Gerald began plans for a new, larger church. Cardinal Maida dedicated the new church on May 31, 1991.


New stained-glass windows were added in 1999. 


St. Gerald merged with St. Alexander, located three miles east, at the end of 2014. St. Alexander Church soon closed but the food pantry remained active. Two years later, the former St. Alexander was sold to a secular non-profit organization. 


Fr. Krzysztof (Kris) Nowak has been pastor since July, 2016.


Saturday Vigil Mass is at 5:00pm, preceded by Confessions 3:30-4:30pm. Sunday Masses are at 8:30, 10:15am, and Noon. 


Daily Mass is celebrated at 9:15am on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. Thursday evening Mass is at 7:00pm.


Four large tapestries hang in opposing corners of the church. Divine Mercy and St. Thérèse on the left side of the nave.


The Blessed Virgin Mary along with St. Joseph and Child Jesus on the right side.



For more info: parish website + parish history
More photos: St. Alexander + St. Gerald
On the 2014 parish merger: Hometown Life
St. Gerald's 50th anniversary in 2014: The Michigan Catholic + C & G News

St. Mary (Royal Oak)

St. Mary Church was built in 1953, in the southern section of Royal Oak.


A Statue of the Blessed Virgin, along with a monogram of the Holy Name of Mary, is suspended over the center door.


Two plaques are suspended on the front facade: a crown surrounded by 12 stars and an olive branch.



A tall, narrow spire stands on the roof and over the altar; the former baptistery is stands in the vestibule 

Madonna and Child in the vestibule.

A baldacchino covers the high altar and tabernacle. A large stained-glass window depicting the blessed Virgin Mary overlooks the sanctuary.


A Chi Rho, as well as Alpha and Omega, are depicted on the facade of the high altar.


A monogram of "Ave Maria" is inlaid in the floor in front of the high altar. 


Side altars to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, respectively.


A portion of the original altar rail remains in front of the Blessed Mother's side altar.


The original baptismal font, which was in storage for decades, returned to the sanctuary last summer.

Periwinkle flowers are engraved on the sides of some of the pews.

Windows in the clerestory depict symbols and titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary.


Left to right: Queen of Martyrs, Tower of David, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary


Lower-level windows are in sets of three. The middle window in each set features a biblical symbol.


A large and colorful rose window overlooks the choir loft.


Stations of the Cross line the walls of the nave and hang in between arches.

Stained-glass windows in the stairwell to the choir loft; a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary stands in a garden between the church and rectory.

St. Mary Parish operates a K-8 parochial school which, in the 2017-2018 academic year, had an enrollment of 230 students.




St. Mary Parish offers Mass at least once every day. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament occurs four days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Exposition starts at 6:30am, Benediction is at 7:20am, followed by Mass at 7:30am. Fridays also have a second Mass at 10:00am. Saturday Vigil Mass is at 4:30pm while Sunday Masses are at 9:00am and 11:00am.



More info: parish website + school website
For more photos: AOD Film Services